Former US President Barack Obam will visit Africa starting Monday July 15 and is expected to visit Kenya and South Africa.

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The former Illinois Senator through his official Facebook account confirmed the visit on Friday saying he was happy to return to the continent that is full of native culture.

"This week, I’m traveling to Africa for the first time since I left office – a continent of wonderful diversity, thriving culture, and remarkable stories. As I prepare for this trip, I wanted to share a list of books that I would recommend for summer reading," said Obama in his post.

Among the books he recommends for reading include Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Others are The Return by Hisham Matar and The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes.

Obama will arrive in Nairobi on Monday and is expected to hold talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

He will thereafter travel to K'Ogelo in Siaya County where he will launch Sauti Kuu, an NGO owned by his sister Dr Auma Obama before flying to South Africa where he is expected to deliver a speech to mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth.

Obama is an ardent reader.